Deck Cover Plates

[SommerTime]

Do any of you remove the round deck plates for routine inspections. If so, do you have to replace the "O" ring?

thanks :?:

 

[DaleH]

On ANY new-to-me boat, I always remove them and ALL bedded/bolted thru-deck hardware. I check out all cored mateirals and wet-out each hole with thinned epoxy. Then re-assemble using Boat-Life brand Life Caulk or Life Seal products, as I find they last longer-in-the-tube than ANY 3M product made. I use Life Caulk for any item subject to wear, load, or pulling stresses. That said, I do use 3M 5200 expressly for any use around or below the waterline.

O-Rings can last a number of years IMHO if kept properly cleaned and lubricated. In the absence of any special silicone grease, I just use that blue-colored waterproof synthetic grease that I LOVE so much. All OB makers sell it, but the tub or tube as sold by OMC/Bombardier as "Triple Guard" grease sells for 1/3rd to 1/2 as much as the ones with a Jap motor label on them ... and believe me when I tell you it all comes out of the same factory.

FWIW I replaced all of my round Tempress deckports with the full0lid seal ones made by T-H Marine. They're much more water-proof, whereas I'd only label the Tempress ones as water resistant.

 

[bean]

Dear Sommertime;

I checked mine yesterday. I open them a few times a year and clean them out. Then hose them down wait & open up again to make sure no water has leaked in. Yesterday 1 was leaking but it was not the o ring it was the plate screwed to the deck. Removed screws re-sealed and all is good. So check on a timely basis can be o ring or deck flange. You do not want waterleaking in on that gas tank.

" BEAN "

 

[SommerTime]

Hey Dale: I went to T-H Marine web site and they sale their products in bulk. I guess mainly for marine dealers. I'm going to have to look for a dealer that carries the plates. I see that you are in Mass. and I'll be visiting my son in Westwood Mass. Do you of any dealers in the Westwood area?

Thanks

 

[DaleH]

Buy on-line, $13 for 6" models.

CP'rs can see below how the T-H design fully covers the "gap" where the O-Ringand plate opening would typically be. This keeps water out and the O-Ring area clean.

 

[POGE]

I use Vasoline to coat the O rings and any rubber seals. Any problem in that?
Works quite well, the tub of vasoline greases reels or other little things in a pinch too, like a little tub of grease, just rub extra into hands when done.

 

[SommerTime]

Poge: Vaseline is what I was thinking about using but will eventually go with Dale's recommendation.

 

[DaleH]

Guys - I am quite sure vasoline or even dielectric grease would be fine!

Main point is .. keep it clean and lubed.

 

[Megabyte]

I still have the OEM Tempress deck plates on my boat, and I clean and lube the seals every spring, then again in late summer.
It doesn't take long to do, and keeping the o-rings clean and lubed will go a long way towards keeping them water tight.

I use Starbrite snap and zipper lube on my seals. It's a teflon based lube and it holds up well.

The o-rings are cheap, so I replace them every-other-year.

BTW - If you'd like to stick with pry-out deck plates, take a look at the Becksons. The o-ring on the Beckson plate is 3 to 4 times the size of the Tempress o-rings. I'll even make you a deal on replacement o-rings.
http://www.classicparker.com/phpBB2/vie ... php?t=6262

 

[DaleH]

Looks like another 1 beer job !

 

[tara11]

I replaced all mine with the clear see through ones, and I too take off from time to time and keep the seal lubed with telethon grease, works good and with the see through ones I can see if they are leaking all the time !

 

[ppem45]

When you replaced your deck plates were you able to find the sand colored ones Dale? If so where did you get them, I know they make them in sand but I am unable to find them.

 

[TheOtherLine]

I want to replace my deck plates with some that are more flush with the deck.

I think Parker came out with a new design. Has anyone seen or used those? Are they no different than the one's that Dale showed us?

 

[bigk23surf]

Bumping this thread back up. Anyone know where to get the new style deck plates?